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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Out six weeks after surgery

by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire

Payton is expected to miss approximately six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair his broken pinky finger.

Payton is set to undergo surgery Tuesday, and if his original timetable holds, he could be back in action around the beginning of January. In the meantime, Jrue Holiday should handle point guard duties in Payton's absence, with E'Twaun Moore and Wesley Johnson starting at shooting guard and small forward, respectively. Tim Frazier, Frank Jackson and Ian Clark could all see reserve minutes at guard until Payton is ready to return.

Payton will undergo surgery to repair his broken left pinky finger, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports. A timetable for his return will be established following surgery.

This is a significant blow to the Pelicans, who just got Payton back after an extended absence due to a sprained right ankle. While he's sidelined, Jrue Holiday should start at point guard, with E'Twaun Moore and Wesley Johnson starting at shooting guard and small forward, respectively. Tim Frazier, Frank Jackson and Ian Clark are also candidates to see reserve point guard run.

In his return from a nine-game absence due to an ankle injury, Payton fractured his finger Friday against the Knicks. He is without a timetable to return, but has been ruled out against the Nuggets. Jrue Holiday now figures to move back to a more prominent point guard role, while Ian Clark and Wesley Johnson could see some heavier run.

Payton is considered day-to-day after fracturing his left pinkie finger during Friday's game against the Knicks, Scott Kushner of The New Orleans Advocate reports.

This is relatively good news for the Pelicans, who may not be without their starting point guard for long. The day-to-day designation implies Payton hasn't been ruled out for the second half of the back-to-back set Saturday against the Nuggets, though it seems rather unlikely that he'll be available. That would result in more Jrue Holiday at point guard, while Ian Clark and Wesley Johnson could pick up more minutes on the wing.

Payton suffered a fractured finger in Friday's game against New York and has been ruled out, Jennifer Hale of Fox Sports New Orleans reports.

Payton had just returned to the court from an extended absence as a result of a hamstring injury, and he could be out again for a few games. The Pelicans figure to provide an update on his status in the near future, but Jrue Holiday should shift over to point guard with Ian Clark seeing a bigger role at shooting guard if Payton is forced to miss time.